Lunch box



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. HESS, Jr. LUNCH BOX.

No. 593,538. PatentedNov. 9, 1897.

WITNESSES [NV NTQR m: uonms PETERS no. wm'aummwnsummcu, n c.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

H. HESS, Jr LUNCH BOX.

No. 593,538. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

INVENTOR a: nouns PETERS co. PHOIOLITHO, wAsMmcT0- n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY HESS,JR., OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

LUNCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,538, dated November 9, 1897.

A li ati n {11 5 March 15, 1897. Serial No. 627,480. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern- Be it known that I, HARRY HESS, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington city, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lunch-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to a novel construction in a folding box; and it consists in the features of construction hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding box constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the parts in the position they assume when the box is made up and ready for use. In this View, however, one end of the box is shown extended in dotted lines. Fig. 2.'is a perspective view showing the position of the box when the parts are collapsed for the purpose of folding. In this view the box is restin g upon the same piece that is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the reverse side of the box with one end piece folded, while the other is partially folded. Fig. 4 shows the box folded entirely.

The folding box forming the subject of this specification is intended for use, for instance, as a lunch-box which when set up provides a convenient and ample receptacle for a lunch, but which when not in. use can be folded into a small compass, so that it can be easily transported.

The box illustrated is rectangular and consists of the top and bottom pieces 1 and 2 and the side pieces 3. These top, bottom, and side pieces are hinged together at their meeting edges in any approved manner and are arranged so that they can be folded upon one another, so that their sides lie flat, and thus form a thin package, as may be understood. The end pieces 4 are hinged to the ends of the bottom piece 2, so that they can be easily folded, and the said end pieces 4 are each provided with side flaps 5 and an end flap 6 at its free ends. It is noted that the sides of the end pieces 4 are equal in length to the width of the top and bottom pieces, so that when the box is made up the parts fit nicely together. The top piece 1 is provided with a handle which consists, preferably, of a strip 7, that passes through loops 8 upon said top piece, and means are provided for fastening the ends of said straps to the end pieces 4. In the particular construction illustrated the straps are provided with openings or button-. holes 9, while the end pieces are provided with buttons 10 to receive the same.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the box in full lines in the position the parts assume when made up-that is to say, the top and bottom pieces stand at right angles to each other and the end pieces are folded up with the side flaps 5 situated within the-box, while the end flaps'6 rest against the outer face of the top piece. The ends of the strap 7 are fastened to the buttons, so that the central portion of the strap forms the handle. It is seen that the weight of the box will cause the handle or strap to pull upon the end pieces and hold them firmly against the top, bottom, and side pieces. In folding the box the strap is first unbuttoned-and the end pieces are moved outwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

After both end pieces are moved to this position the side and end fiaps are unfolded, while the top, bottom, and side pieces are collapsed, as shown in Fig. 2, with the end portions of the strap folded upon the top piece. In this way one side piece lies flat against the bottom piece, while the top piece lies flat against the other side piece. The top and side pieces are then folded over against the other side piece, as shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 2. The box is then turned over and the side flaps 5 folded upon the outer face of the end pieces and these end pieces folded back against the bottom of the box, one upon the other, while a band 11, that is fastened to the inner face small compass,so that it can be readily trans-- ported.

The construction of the device is simple and inexpensive, so that the box can be sold ata comparatively small cost, while it provides a convenient device for carrying lunches and the like, as is obvious.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A folding box consisting of the top, bottom and side pieces, said side pieces each permanently and flexibly connected with the adjacent edges of both the top and bottom pieces whereby said top, bottom and side pieces can be folded flat upon each other, an end piece flexibly connected with each end of said bottom piece and flaps flexibly connected to the edges of each of said end pieces, a flexible strip or handle passing through loops provided on the top piece, and means to attach it to the outer face of each end piece so as to hold them in a secure position while in use, substantially as described.

2. A folding box consisting of the top, bottom and side pieces, said side pieces each permanently and flexibly connected with the aded to fold around the box when folded, sub- 7 stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscrib- 35 ing witnesses. v

. HARRY HESS, JUNIOR.

\Vitnesses:

HARRY COBB KENNEDY, ARTHUR BROWNING. 

